To the Editor:
As a Duluth resident, leukemia survivor and mother of two, I would like to personally thank Congressman Rick Nolan for his ongoing dedication to blood cancer patients.
Without the support of people like Rep. Nolan, people like me might never get a second chance at life. I was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia on June 19, 2007, during a routine pregnancy checkup. Doctors told me I had a 50/50 chance of survival. At the time, I was 22 weeks pregnant with my second child and busy caring for my 1-year-old son. I wasn’t sure I would be around to watch my children grow. Thankfully, an anonymous marrow donor match was identified on the national Be The Match Registry, and one month after giving birth to my daughter, Angel, I received my life-saving transplant.
Today, I'm back to my active life - that’s why I am so grateful for Rep. Nolan's actions on Capitol Hill.
Rep. Nolan joined the bipartisan Congressional Caucus to Cure Blood Cancers and Other Blood Disorders in 2015, and has already made a commitment to the caucus for 2016. The caucus seeks to increase awareness on Capitol Hill about the importance of marrow and umbilical cord blood transplants and the barriers patients face. Legislative support is critical to ensure continued funding of Be The Match, the national nonprofit that matches patients with donors, supports patients throughout the transplant process and conducts research to improve transplant outcomes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Following my transplant, I went back to school to become an oncology nurse, hoping that I could give back to the profession that got me through my lowest point. But I’m reminded every day that not every story has a happy ending. Congressional support and advocacy for blood cancer patients and the National Marrow Donor Program/Be The Match gives hope to all patients battling a life-threatening disease, and that starts with the passionate support of people like Rep. Nolan.
Thank you again for your continued commitment to blood cancer patients everywhere.
Missy Rowan, Duluth
